Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Citizens arrest solicitation of prostitution

a citizen was driving directly in front of me and stopped 20 feet i front. A prostitiute approached my car and grabbed my door handle; I told her no, to close the door. The citizen jumped out and took a photo of my license plate and maybe or maybe not her OUTSIDE of my car. He made a comment about having my license #. Could he successfully file a citizens arrest and get a solicitization citation? I did not motion the person over; or have a conversation; but he had a bunch of Jesus signs on his car and was cruising slowly in front of me. If there are no other details except that he had another person in his car; could they lie and get a conviction? Please reply


Asked on 11/18/07, 7:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Citizens arrest solicitation of prostitution

Even if these people wanted to make trouble for you, what could they prove without the woman's cooperation? They can't even prove she's a prostitute, much less that you broke any laws.

Merely letting someone into your car is legal regardless of whether she happens to be a prostitute, so I don't see how they could persuade prosecutors to even file charges much less persuade a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of anything.

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Answered on 11/18/07, 8:16 pm


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